Elbow resurfacing prosthesis

Abstract

A method and apparatus for replacing a selected portion of the anatomy is described. In particular, a prosthesis can be provided to replace a portion of an articulating joint, such as an elbow. The apparatus can be modular for various reasons and each of the modular portions can include a different dimension to achieve a selected result.

1 . An elbow prosthesis comprising:
 a capitellum implant including an articulating head, having a first articulating surface and a medial coupling portion, said coupling portion having a plurality of intersecting bearing surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . The elbow prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating head further defines a bore configured to accept a bone engaging screw. 
     
     
         3 . The elbow prosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising a stem configured to be implanted in an intermedullary canal of a humerus. 
     
     
         4 . The elbow prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the capitellum implant has a first interlocking geometry formed at the medial coupling portion. 
     
     
         5 . The elbow prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the capitellum implant further comprises an extension portion that extends from the articulating surface, the extension portion defining a bone screw accepting aperture. 
     
     
         6 . A prosthesis to replace an end portion of a bone, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical bearing member having an exterior articulating surface and a medial coupling portion operable to replace a selected portion of a distal humerus, said coupling portion defining a plurality of intersecting planar surfaces, the cylindrical bearing member including a first articulation surface and a second articulation surface, wherein the first articulation surface includes a first substantially smooth surface operable to articulate with at least one of a radius and a radial bone replacement, and the second articulation surface includes a second substantially smooth surface operable to articulate with at least one of an ulna and ulna prosthesis;   a coupling mechanism attached to the medial surface.   
     
     
         7 . The elbow prosthesis of  claim 6 , further comprising a flange portion extending from the articulation member at a location laterally offset from and substantially in the same direction as the stem member. 
     
     
         8 . The prosthesis of  claim 7 , wherein the flange portion defines a bone screw accepting aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The prosthesis of  claim 7 , wherein the flange portion is formed as a an integral piece with the articulation member. 
     
     
         10 . The prosthesis of  claim 7 , wherein the connecting member is a stem configured to be positioned in a humeral medullary canal. 
     
     
         11 . The prosthesis of  claim 7 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises at least one stem. 
     
     
         12 . The prosthesis of  claim 11 , wherein the least one stem is integrally formed with the generally cylindrical bearing member. 
     
     
         13 . The prosthesis of  claim 6 , wherein the coupling mechanism is a pair of coupling posts. 
     
     
         14 . The prosthesis of  claim 7 , wherein the generally cylindrical bearing member defines a through axis. 
     
     
         15 . The prosthesis of  claim 14 , wherein the coupling member is a pair of coupling posts which intersect the through axis. 
     
     
         16 . The prosthesis of  claim 14 , further comprising a flange portion extending from the articulation member at a location laterally offset from said through axis. 
     
     
         17 . A prosthesis to replace an end portion of a bone, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical bearing member having an exterior articulating surface and a medial coupling portion operable to replace a selected portion of a distal humerus, the cylindrical bearing member defining an axis and including a first articulation surface having a first substantially smooth surface operable to articulate with at least one of a radius and a radial bone replacement and a second articulation surface having a second substantially smooth surface operable to articulate with at least one of an ulna and ulna prosthesis; and   a flange portion extending from the articulation member at a location laterally offset from said axis.   
     
     
         18 . The prosthesis of  claim 17 , further comprising a coupling mechanism attached to the medial surface. 
     
     
         19 . The prosthesis of  claim 18 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a keel. 
     
     
         20 . The prosthesis of  claim 19 , wherein the keel is aligned with the axis. 
     
     
         21 . The prosthesis of  claim 17 , wherein the flange portion comprises a polished surface configured to articulate on one of operable to articulate with at least one of a radius and a radial bone replacement, and the second articulation surface includes a second substantially smooth surface operable to articulate with at least one of an ulna and ulna prosthesis.